Air cleaning device



Jan. 16, 1940.

F. S. OREM AIR CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 16, 1940. s, OREM AIR CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 II. N Q 01/ /7 I a 1 i mi a 4 H, I, a m f J \6 V6 I A M Li I W n I E I I V. 2 7m I i n I 2 I qw I 2 L @w I w w I 4 Patented Jan. 16,11 940!" e v 2,187,546 V AlR. CLEANING DEVICE :H Fr ederic k Strattner Orem, Baltimore, Md. Application April 14,, 1938, semi No. z'ozgo'is 11 Claims. (01. 183-60) invention. relates to air cleaning devices such as employed in connection with. internal combustion engines or'the like, and more par-, ticularly to means associated with the air filter the cylindrical filter member and thence through the'fbutlet 4 of the air cleaner, which may desirably be connected to theintake of the carburotor of an'internal combustion engine; I

Aincleaners now in use" tend to collect dirt and holdit and soon become clogged thereby interfering with the free flow of air and causing a great waste of fuel and loss of power.

Air enters cleaner from atmosphere through cleaner device and may be guided against rotary movement by means of pins 88 screwed into a depending flange is of casing and extendinginto member l3.

member of such devices-tor automatically cleanopenings in bottom head. To do this the direc- 5 ingthe same during its operation and use, to'protion of, flow of air coming from fan is changed videa self-cleaning device which does not ra to a right ang1e,;the heavy particles of dirt conquire manual operation or servicing attention. tinue on past the bottom head. After the dust object .of the invention is theprovision of laden air reaches the chamber surrounding the l0; wiping means for. effectively cleaning the air filtering member the direction of air flow again i 'filtermember of accumulated dirt and dust, such changes in passing through the filter member wiping" means being actuated. and controlled by which causes the heavy particles of dirt to fall to pressure responsive means subject to differences, atmosphere through the openings in bottom head. i and variations in pressure during the operation The openings in bottom head are large and the 1.5; andiuse of the air cleaning device. 1 velocity of air at itsm'aximoln is very low. Each Another object...of the invention is to provide time the direction of the air is changed heavy wiping means and actuatingmeans therefor of particles of dirt leave the air entering the cleannovel form and construction to effect the diser. The openings in the filter member are so lodgmentkand removal of dirtand dust from the small that only very finest dust may pass surface of the ,filter member f through, if any. The larger particles of dirt will 0 Anotherobject is. to ut'ilizesuction to induce fallaway or may rest on the outside of filter the passage of air through the cleaner and to member, for automatic removal according to 'efiect a wiping of the surf ace'of the filter mem the invention. H i Iberof the cleaner to. clean ,the filter member. Sufiicient area of holes is provided to take Other objects willappear hereinafter, the in care of friction of the air passing through. 25 vention consistingin the features, combination Wiping means 5, desirably in the form of and..,arrangement of parts as shown and de brushes, are disposed innengagementwith the scribed; and as particularly pointed out in the filter member and are mounted so as to be movcl'aims. e H able while in engagement with the filter memso Referring to the drawings; her to clean thesame. V

Figure 1 is a partially sectionalelevation of In the. form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, an air cleaning device according to the inventhe brushes 5 are mounted on arms or bracket tion. f j g members fi extending from and rotatable with a 2 is a sectiononline' 'l 2 of Fig. 1. rotary shaft member 'l, the flange Bat the lower Fig. 3is; an and elevation of; the brush memendof which desirably has a bearing in the end 'berandassociated structure. j or cap member 9 for the filter member I. A Fig. 51 is a detailof abortion of the device. split retainer nut iii may be provided overly- Fig.5 is a section on line 5-5- of Fig. 1.. ing the flange 3 and threaded into a boss H of Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the air cleaner the cap member 9. The rotary shaft l is heli- 1 outlet." cally grooved throughout a portion of its length 40 Fig. is a section on line I -l of Fig. l. as shown at 42, andis desirably received within Fig. .8 shows amodification. y a sleeve 13 secured to the pressure responsive Fig.9. is a section'on line 9-9 of Fig. 8. device which is preferably in the form of a Fig. 1.0 is an enlarged view of the brush strucdiaphragm M; the sleeve being provided with ture".shown in Fig. 8. f pin means 55 engaging the helicalgrooves i2, for 45 l In the drawings; l "represents the filter mem imparting rotary movement to the shaft l as the be!" oftheair. cleaner whicli is preferably of persleevereciprocates longitudinally relative to the forated" sheet means the form ofa cylinder, shaft. I the air-entering throughopenings 2 in the cas- The sleeve member i3 is movable through an ing '3f and-passing? through the perforations in opening in the wall it of the casing 3 of the air 59 Openings 2! in the wall N5 of the casing communicate atmospheric pressure in the main chamber of'the device with the diaphragm chamber provided at 22, which desirably may be formed by a cover or cap member screwed to the casing and clamping the diaphragml4 therebetween.

The sleeve l3 desirably may have a flange at 24 and a stem portion 25 extending through the diaphragm M with a nut 21 secured to a threaded portion of the stem 25 and bearing on washer 28 with the diaphragm between the Washer and the flange 2d.

The cover or cap member 22 is provided with a tubular projection 29, the outer end of which is fitted as indicated at 39 for connection, by any suitable conduit means 3|, to a source of suction or reduced pressure, such as the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.

A spring 32 is disposed in the tubular nozzle or projection 25? and bears at its outer end against fitting ill! and at its inner end receives the end of stem 25 and bears on the nut 27, thus urging the diaphragm inwardly.

The brushes or wiping means 5, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, are pivotally mounted at their upper ends tothe arms 5 as shown at 33 and their lower ends are free to move in either direction to the extent of a slot 23 in the bracket under action of the rotary movement imparted by the diaphragm and spring construction. This enables the dust and dirt dislodged from the filter member by the brush to freely drop downwardly clear of thebrush upon dislodgment and tends to avoid accumulation of dirt in the brush or Wiping means.

In the operation of the device shown in Fig. 1, the wiping means and associated parts are in the position they occupy when not actuated by the suction, such as that of an internal combus' tion engine, which sourceof suction is then at rest.

Upon the application of suction, as upon the starting of an internal combustion engine to which the device may be connected, air is drawn through the filter member and also the diaphragm is moved outwardly against the spring 32 and under the action of the difference in pressure on the opposite sides of the diaphragm, it

, being subject to the suction on its outer side and subject to atmospheric pressureon its inner side through holes M. This rotates the shaft and brush arms through the helical groove or worm and pin connection and causes the brushes to move around and to wipe the surface of the filter member. The construction may be such as to the extent of movement of the diaphragm and sleeve and worm, as to cause the brushes to rotate around the cylindrical surface of the filter member to any desired angle, which desirably may be from about 45 to about 90 degrees, depending upon the number of brushes employed.

During maintenance of suction, as during the.

operation of the engine, the brushes remain in the position to which they have been moved,

pressure on the inner side of the diaphragm isovercome by the pressure of the spring 32 and the parts return'to the position indicated in Fig.

1, the brushes being again moved over the surface of the filter member in the return movement, and inclining as indicated in Fig. 3, in accordance withthe direction of movement, to brush the filter surface clean.

Referring to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the wiping means 5a are in the form of brushes curved to conform to the shape of the cylindrical surface of the filter member I, and fixed to the-arms 6a andfmovable therewith longitudinally of the cylindrical filter surface to clean the same. The arms Ba are secured to a pin or bolt member 7a, by being threaded into a collar member 35 received on the reduced end of the bolt 25aand retained thereon by a nut 36. Lock nuts 31' are provided on the arms 6a and engagingthe collar. The bolt la extends outwardly through the casing wall Mia and is provided with a fiange 24a engaging the diaphragm, and the boltextends through the diaphragm providing projection 25a. received within the spring 32a asbefore describedin connection with the form of the invention-shown in ble bracket arms 6a, which may be provided with sleeves 6b carried by the arms and guided in the openings 90.

The arms 6a are preferably screw threaded throughout most of their end portions, and the brush members 50., which desirably may be in the form of rings, have apertured portions 5b receiving the arms Ba Upper and lower complete circular brushes are preferably provided.

The upper brush member may be held in adjusted position on the, arms 60, by means of nuts 39 on its underside and the sleeves 6b on its upper side, the nuts and sleeves being-in'threaded engagement with the'arms 6a. The lower brush member may be held in adjusted position by means of nuts, Mon its upper side and sleeves 4i in threaded" engagement therewith on itsunder side. The sleeves are guided in guide cylinders 42 depending fromthecasing.

The structure of the form of the invention of Fig. 8 is otherwise substantially the same as that of Fig. 1, a bolt 43 desirably being provided securing the upper end cap of the filter member to the cross bar 44 of the casing,in both forms.

In the at rest position of the device shown in Fig. 8 the lower brush member rests on the lower wall of the casing. When suction is applied, as by the starting of the engine to which the device may be attached, the diaphragm will bemoved against'the action or the spring to move the bracket arms and brushes with it, lengthwise of the surface of the cylindrical filter member, to the position indicated in dotted lines, the filter being thereby brushed clean. Upon cessation of suction, as by the stopping of the engine, the

spring forces the diaphragm to move against the atmospheric pressure, and moves the brushes in a return cleaning action to the initial position of rest indicated in Fig. 8.

entire surface of the filter is brushed.

In both forms of the invention, the application of suction in the operation of the device activates the diaphragm to move the wiping means or brushes so as to brush the entire surface-of the filter member, and upon cessation of suction the brushes are given a return stroke, under action of the spring, which preferably is provided, or by gravity, to again brush the entire surface of the filter member..

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, air cleaning means including an air filter, and means for cleaning said air filter comprising wiping means in engagement with said air filter and a support carrying said wiping means, said support being movably mounted to move the wiping means over the surface of the filter, and a diaphragm, means subjecting one side of the diaphragm to atmospheric pressure, and means subjecting the other side of the diaphragm to suction or lessened pressure to move the same, means providing a connection between said diaphragm and said support for imparting movement thereto, said diaphragm having a rigid projecting member fixedly mounted thereon and forming a partof the'said connection, said projecting member being in direct engagement with a part of said wiping means support to move the wiper over the filter positively in both directions upon reciprocation of the diaphragm projection with the diaphragm.

2. In apparatus according to claim 1., said sup port being rotatably mounted and having a central shaft member and said connection including a sleeve portion on one of said members receiving the other of said members with a thread or cam structure therebetween to rotate the support upon movement of the diaphragm.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said projecting member is disposed centrally of the diaphragm, said support being carried by said projecting member and movable therewith upon movement of the diaphragm- 4. In apparatus according to claim 1, said filter being of cylindrical formation and having a bearing at one end for rotatably mounting said support, said support having a central shaft member and an arm extending from said central shaft member and carrying said wiping means at its outer portion in contact with said cylindrical filter, and said connection including a sleeve portion on one of said members receiving the other of said members with a thread or cam structure therebetween to rotate the support upon movement of the diaphragm.

5. In apparatus of the class described, means providing a substantially vertically disposed filter surface to be cleaned, and wiping means for said surface comprising a substantially vertically disposed wiping member carried by a movably mounted support, said vertically disposed member being pivoted at its upper end to saidsupport and having its lower end free to swing as the wiping member is moved over the said surface, and a pin and slot construction limiting said swinging movement.

6. In apparatus of the class described, air

cleaning means including a cylindrical air filter member mounted in a casing having air inlet and outlet openings in its under side leading to and from said air filter member, a shaft member having a rotary bearing at one end in the head of the filter member, said shaft carrying a bracket supporting wiping means at the outer portion thereof in contact with said filter member, said casing providing a diaphragm chamber at its upper end, a diaphragm disposed in said chamber, openings in the casing communicating oneside of said diaphragm chamber with the atmosphere, an opening in the casing from the other side of said chamber to a source of suction, a sleeve projection on the lower side of said diaphragm extending into operative engagement with said rotary shaft and receiving the same, and a thread or cam connection between the sleeve and rotary shaft to rotate the latter upon movement of the diaphragm.

'7. In apparatus of the class described, air cleaning means including a cylindrical air filter member mounted in a casing having air inlet and outlet openings in its under side leading to and from said air filter member, said casing providing a diaphragm chamber at its upper end, a diaphragm disposed in said chamber, openings in the casing communicating one side of said diaphragm chamber with the atmosphere, an opening in the casing from the other side of said chamber to a source of suction, wiping means in contact with said filter member, and means directly connecting said diaphragm and wiping means comprising a rigid member fixed to and projecting from the lower side of said diaphragm and extending downwardly toward said filter member, said rigid projecting member carrying a bracket supporting said wiping means at the outer portion thereof in contact with said filter member to reciprocate the wiping means longitudinally over said filter member upon longitudinal reciprocation of said projecting member with movement of the diaphragm.

8. Apparatus according to claim '7 in which said bracket comprises a plurality of radial arms having downwardly extending portions at their outer ends, and said wiping means comprising a plurality of curved brush members secured to said downwardly extending portions and extending in horizontal planes at different levels, said casing providing guide openings for said downwardly extending portions, and the head of the filter member having extensions providing guide openings for said downwardly extending portions.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said bracket support comprises a plurality of arms carried by said shaft and having downwardly extending portions at their outer ends, carrying the wiping means in the form of brushes substantially vertically disposed and pivoted at their upper ends.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said thread or cam connection comprises a helical groove on said shaft and a pin on said sleeve extending into said groove, and a spring urging said diaphragm downwardly.

11. In apparatus of the class described, means providing a substantially vertically disposed filter surface to be cleaned, and wiping means for said surface comprising a substantially vertically disposed wiping member carried by a movably mounted support, said vertically disposed member. being pivoted at its upper end to said support and having its lower end free to swing as the wiping member is moved over the said surface, and means limiting swinging movement in both directions.

F. STRATTNER OREM. 

